Sydney Sweeney loses 200,000 followers after Novig betting ad By Luís Henrique Costa
2 min read
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American actress Sydney Sweeney lost 200,000 Instagram followers on September 14, 2026, after sports prediction and betting software firm Novig released an advertising campaign in which the performer appeared nude while shielded solely by athletic gear and competitive equipment. The promotional imagery triggered an immediate digital exodus from her account as critics condemned the presentation of female athletes.
The actress is 29. Her social media account registered the steep decline immediately following the public rollout of the promotional spot. The loss unfolded across the platform while online discussions expanded regarding corporate endorsements and athlete representations.
Olympic competitors condemn sexualized imagery in promotional campaign
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus denounced the marketing piece in an online message, expressing outrage over the depiction of women in sports. The Olympic gold medalist questioned how society continues to monetize women’s bodies while treating athletic dedication as a sexualized commodity, noting that true sport relies on teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, and unity. Australian water polo competitor Tilly Kearns stated publicly that she hated the promotional shoot. Professional boxer Skye Nicolson similarly criticized the advertisement, classifying the production as an absolute mockery.
The sponsored upload reached 1.1 million likes on Sweeney’s official page despite the wave of criticism. Rather than releasing a written response, the actress shared archival magazine covers displaying Caroline Wozniak, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Rob Gronkowski, Ronda Rousey, Serena Williams, and Myles Garrett.
Previous American Eagle commercial sparked public debate over wording
Sweeney previously encountered public scrutiny during a separate endorsement contract for retail clothing brand American Eagle. The Euphoria and The Housemaid performer led an advertisement featuring a linguistic pun that linked blue jeans with biological genes. The marketing initiative drew widespread accusations of racism and sexism from observers, yet earned public praise from Donald Trump.
